Photo Flash: Nine Theatricals Launches HAMLET at Jim Kempner Fine Art Gallery

A record turnout crowded the Jim Kempner Fine Art Gallery last night for the launched party of Nine Theatricals' production of Hamlet, which goes into rehearsal shortly for a July opening at the 13th Repertory Theater.

The event, sponsored by Soho Cigar Bar and Chef Ravi Iyer of The Drunken Horse & The Station Gastro Pub; plus desserts furnished by Ali Stoker, was presented at this time to honor Shakespeare's 400th anniversary of his life, and included an array of arts industry professionals including Nina Kethevan and Ioan Ardelean - playwright and director - of Dress of Fire, a new play featuring Austin Pendleton, having its own special presentation in late June at the Dorothy Strelsin Theater.

Media attendees included Ron Mwangaguhunga of the Huffington Post, Sarah MacDonnell of the Times Square Chronicle, Inola McGuire of Drama-Queens, and Lucien McMahon of OuterStage. Patrick Hickey of the acclaimed pop culture site ReviewFix was on-hand to conduct an interview with Matt de Rogatis (Prince Hamlet) and Jay Michaels (the production's director) about Shakespeare today and this unique production of Hamlet.

Matt de Rogatis and Jay Michaels have compiled elements of these other versions including the concept of a narrator sharing details of a too-old-tale - within their own version. Hamlet: An Exploration tells the story of Hamlet but it also manages to tell the story of Hroðulf, Amlóði, Ur-Hamlet and Heronimo. This version explores the idea of the conflicted male image; addiction and self-abuse; love and lust, and how bisexuality, BDSM, and marriage of convenience have endured regardless of social mores and religious beliefs.

When the smoke clears, this is a Hamlet not yet done using elements of the Hamlets, frankly, never or rarely done.